SEC Sharma visits Kupwara, inspects polling process at Potushai, Wavoora polling stations

Kupwara December 19: State Election Commissioner (SEC), K.K.Sharma Saturday said that people’s participation and peaceful conduct of eight phased elections is explicitly showing that the people of Jammu and Kashmir have reaffirmed their faith in democracy and a democratic setup.

The State Election Commissioner said this during his visit to DDC Constituency Wavoora in district Kupwara today.

The SEC was accompanied by Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, P.K. Pole; Inspector General of Police, Vijay Kumar; Deputy Commissioner Kupwara, Anshul Garg; Additional Deputy Commissioner Kupwara, Nazir Ahmad Lone and concerned RO.

The SEC said that the polling and electoral process remained successful in Jammu & Kashmir and people voted enthusiastically, adding that about 40% voter turnout was registered in Kashmir valley during the last 7 phases. He said the objective of the State Election Commission was to conduct free and fair elections which, he added, was committed to the people’s participation and hard-work of government functionaries. Mr. Sharma added that all SOPs of COVID-19 were strictly implemented and masks and sanitizers were made available at polling stations.

Replying to media persons regarding extension of polling time beyond 2 PM, the SEC said that 2 PM concluding time is implemented across the country uniformly and the decision was implemented here also to ensure the security and safety of polling staff and police personnel. He said the voters who were within the premises of polling stations, had voted smoothly, adding that, people of Kashmir are well versed with their rights.

The SEC visited 02 polling stations viz. Potushai and Wavoora, where 220 out of 453 and 380 out of 505 voters cast their votes till 12 noon respectively.

The SEC interacted with polling staff, party polling agents, health workers, and security personnel and enquired about facilities and arrangements provided by the administration.